Conical coalescing filter and assembly

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/US92/07383 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 12, 1993 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 12, 1993 PCT Filed Aug. 31, 1992 PCT Pub. No. WO94/05396 PCT Pub. Date Mar. 17, 1994.A porous coalescing filter element of conical configuration is diposed within a substantially cylindrical filter housing such tha the area between the element and the wall increases in the direction of the primary phase flow to keep the annular velocity substantially constant or decreasing in the direction of primary fluid flow. The element may be manufactured with a round end and tapered walls terminating to a pointed apex, but is more preferably manufactured and secured within the filter housing using flat end caps on both ends. The filter element may be vacuumed formed, or manufactured from media in a flat sheet form, which may be pleated if desired.

I claim: 
     
       1. A porous filter element of conical shape formed of randomly oriented glass fibers which flows from the inside to the outside and has an upper annular sealing surface and a lower annular sealing surface, the filter element further including: a) at least one layer of a suitable thin sheet material wrapped around said porous filter element, and being in intimate contact therewith, and   b) an outer support structure of sufficient rigidity to radially support said porous filter element and said suitable thin sheet material and having an inside diameter slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the combination of the porous filter element and said outer layer of sheet material and completely surrounding said combination.   
     
     
       2. The porous filter element described in claim 1, wherein said filter element is manufactured from a filter media originally in a flat sheet form. 
     
     
       3. The porous filter element described in claim 2, wherein said filter media is pleated during the manufacturing process. 
     
     
       4. The filter element described in claim 1, wherein the element is made from borosilicate glass. 
     
     
       5. A filter including, in combination: a) an inner support structure of an conical configuration,   b) an inner layer of suitable sheet material wrapped around said tubular support structure,   c) a porous filter element formed of randomly orientated glass fibers and being of conical shape,   d) at least one outer layer of a suitable thin sheet material wrapped about said porous filter element and being in intimate contact therewith,   e) an outer support structure of conical configuration and being of sufficient rigidity to radially support said porous filter element and said suitable thin sheet material and having an inside diameter slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the combination of said inner tubular support structure, said inner layer of said suitable sheet material, said porous filter element, and said outer layer of suitable sheet material and completely surrounding said combination.   
     
     
       6. A filter assembly comprising a conical filter element as described in either one of claims 4 or 5, and including means for introducing the fluid to be filtered to the interior of said filter at the inside of the innermost filter layer in such a manner that such fluid will flow through the remaining layers of said filter from inside to outside, and wherein said conical coalescing filter element has its ends substantially closed by a pair of closure members, and mounted inside a suitable filter housing having inlet means sealingly communicating with the interior of said filter, and outlet means communicating with the atmosphere. 
     
     
       7. A multiple element coalescing filter assembly including, in combination: a) a filter housing having an inlet and an outlet,   b) a tube sheet, having a plurality of openings interposed between said inlet and outlet,   c) a plurality of risers sealingly connected to said openings and said tube sheet and having integral filter sealing surfaces at the upper ends thereof,   d) a plurality of elongated conical filtering elements mounted to said risers,   e) an end cap assembly applying pressure axially to said elongated conical filtering elements to seal said elements between said integral sealing surfaces provided on said risers and said end cap assemblies,   f) a lower sump provided immediately above said tube sheet,   g) an upper drain in fluid communication with said upper sump,   h) a lower sump provided below the inlet of said filter housing, and   i) a lower drain communicating with said lower sump.   
     
     
       8. The multiple element coalescing filter assembly described in claim 7, wherein at least one of said filtering elements, wherein the element is made from polypropylene. 
     
     
       9. The multiple element coalescing filter assembly described in claim 7, wherein at least one of said filtering elements, wherein the element is made from polyethylene. 
     
     
       10. The multiple element coalescing filter assembly described in claim 7, wherein at least one of said filtering elements, wherein the element is made from polyester. 
     
     
       11. The multiple element coalescing filter assembly described in claim 7, wherein at least one of said filtering elements, wherein the element is made from nylon. 
     
     
       12. The multiple element coalescing filter assembly described in claim 7, wherein at least one of said filtering elements, polytetrafluroethylene. 
     
     
       13. The multiple element coalescing filter assembly described in claim 7, wherein at least one of said filtering elements wherein the element is made from ceramic. 
     
     
       14. The multiple element coalescing filter assembly described in claim 7, wherein at least one of said filtering elements, wherein the element is made from cellulose. 
     
     
       15. The multiple element coalescing filter assembly described in claim 7, wherein at least one of said filtering elements, wherein the element is made from steel. 
     
     
       16. The multiple element coalescing filter assembly described in claim 7, wherein at least one of said filtering elements, wherein the element is made from stainless steel. 
     
     
       17. The multiple element coalescing filter assembly described in claim 7, wherein at least one of said filtering elements, wherein the element is made from inconel. 
     
     
       18. The multiple element coalescing filter assembly described in claim 7, wherein at least one of said filtering elements, wherein the element is made from monel. 
     
     
       19. The multiple element coalescing filter assembly described in claim 7, wherein at least one of said filtering elements, wherein the element is made from copper. 
     
     
       20. The multiple element coalescing filter assembly described in claim 7, wherein at least one of said filtering elements have a sealing surface on one end. 
     
     
       21. A multiple element coalescing filter assembly including, in combination: a) a filter housing having an inlet and an outlet,   b) a tube sheet, having a plurality of openings interposed between said inlet and outlet,   c) a plurality of risers sealingly connected to said openings and said tube sheet and having integral filter sealing surfaces at the upper ends thereof,   d) a plurality of elongated conical filtering elements mounted to said risers,   e) an end cap assembly to seal said elements between said integral sealing surfaces provided on said risers and said end cap assemblies,   f) a lower sump provided immediately above said tube sheet to collect coalesced liquids,   g) a drain in fluid communication with said sump to drain collected liquids.